title: Short report: premastication in rural Gabon--a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: Premastication-defined as pre-chewing of food for infants by their caregiver-is a common feeding practice in various societies. To date the impact of premastication on children's health including the potential for transmission of infectious diseases is not well understood. Since there are no epidemiologic data on premastication from resource poor regions in Central Africa, we investigated the epidemiology and demographic variables associated with premastication in Central Africa. Between 2011 and 2012, mothers were interviewed about child feeding behaviors in three rural communities in Gabon. A quarter (n = 20, 24%) of 82 participants stated to perform premastication regularly. Despite the small sample size, our study provides first baseline data for the epidemiology of premastication in Central Africa, indicating that this feeding practice is common in rural communities.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné (BP118), Gabon.
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Auer-Hackenberg
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thol
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Akerey-Diop
authors.forename: Rella Manego
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Zoleko
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodolphe Mackanga
authors.forename: Ayôla A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adegnika
authors.forename: Ghyslain
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mombo-Ngoma
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramharter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008423:Maternal Age; D009035:Mothers; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Africa; Gabon; child; feeding; premastication